Last thursday was, for me, the biggest day of the year. Obviously that called for a grand celebration. I excitedly went home as early as possible so I can be with my family to enjoy some cosy and sumptuous dinner. I arrived at 8pm and we were supposed to go to a restaurant or a fmaily ktv but our ‘vintage’ car broke down. Well, not literally broke down but it wasn’t in the mood to go with our mood. So we had no choice but to find the nearest ‘kainan’ to feed our starving intestines. And then we found Colasa’s in Toril. While waiting for the bbq, we watched Pinoy Big Brother. Then we proceeded to the ‘peryahan’ nearby. Wala lang. I tried to enjoy myself while I was imagining myself riding bump-car at SM. To be fair, I liked the simple celebration though i wanted more. I’m just thankful to have my whole family and relatives with me to celebrate that wonderful day. Thank God!

Hey everyone! I am happily announcing that I successfully invaded the Island Garden City of Samal yesterday, September 12, 2005. I know I (or we, my classm8s) shouldn’t have enjoyed much since it was the 9/11 commemoration the day before. But well, what else should I be doing in that fantastic haven with pure white sand and sparkling blue waters? Splashing, swimming, relaxing, and screaming!

It may be ‘cheap’ to feel like this, but it’s my first time ever in that place! To be honest, I have never crossed the sea before. Though it’s only a 15-minute trip, it still felt very amusing.

I’d like to thank my groupmates in Achieville Advertising Firm for the brilliant idea, and to my mom for providing the fare and allowance. You guys are SOOOOOOOOOOOO C-O-O-L!

Pictures will follow after a week… hehe… kelangan pa kasi i-develop eh… i’m out!

Dream Journal # 1                                                                                Date:   

Sept. 2, 2005

            Starting today, I will be writing dream journals for each day. I believe that dreams can help you prepare for the future since they show what your inner selves both want and dread. My first dream documentation will begin on the first day of September, which is yesterday.

            Last night, I remember dreaming of my first crush who I will call Nick Garter. Obviously, his name is a spoof after the popular boy band member Nick Carter. He is equally good-looking. I consider him as my first Prince Charming. He looks like a royal bachelor, always wanted by the feminine race. He’s not really the ‘Crush ng Bayan’, but at least I would love to think so. He is my childhood… friend? Or sweetheart? I don’t know what word to use. I could say we shared some very unforgettable moments. And I know we were almost mutually attracted. Or, weren’t we? Anyway, this is what happened in my dream about him last night:

Me and some friends were walking on a, somewhat, park where there is a funeral and a wedding going on side by side. After a split second, we were riding a tricycle and passed through the middle of the funeral and the matrimonial ceremony. Along the way, I saw familiar faces – Nick’s mother, and a guy with brown hair. Beside the coffin, a man is talking on the microphone. He said Nick’s father is dead and his loved ones should be strong enough to face the future without him. Nick’s mother started crying hard. The next thing I knew was that, a few meters away from the funeral and the wedding, me and my family are dancing and singing ‘HUMAYO’T IHAYAG’. It’s a song from our retreat which I really love. After singing, a guy said ‘HI’ at my back. I turned to face him, and I saw Nick! He was still cute and amiable. His brown hair kind of flickered under the sun and he looked so damn hot. I said ‘HELLO’ and turned to face my other friend whom I can’t recognize. He then held my hand and pressed my palm with his index finger. It was a bit malicious. I reacted quite awkwardly. And, we just stared at each other’s eyes.

            There is a great contrast between a wedding and a funeral. I don’t know what the wedding means but I am hoping that the death of Nick’s father would come 30 years from now. I still want him to attend his son’s wedlock with me. I also want him to see his grandchildren grow into responsible and loving people. I’m ambitious, I know. But what can I do, this is my journal?

            I hope that one of these days I can bump into my Prince Nick so we could exchange greetings. But even if he doesn’t say a word, I guess a simple smile would suffice to brighten each day of my life.

            Good luck to both of us. And now, I’m looking forward to another adventure in my solitude tonight.   

                                                                                                - Strawberry OJE -